Arrests made in Farmington animal cruelty case

Police reported Tuesday afternoon they arrested two women in connection to a severe animal cruelty case local officials referred to as one of the worst they have seen in years.

Shirley M. Patch, 59, of 576 Chestnut Hill Road, was charged with 12 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and Caroline Wilkins, 40, of the same address, was charged with one count, in relation to 13 animals taken into police custody from that property on Sunday, Aug. 4.

According to Police Chief Kevin Willey, the animals – ranging from mares and stallions to one miniature horse along with several goats, dogs and chickens – were found to have been severely neglected and malnourished. Many of them were in varying degrees of health.

Willey explained each of the counts stands for each animal, and Wilkins reportedly was only responsible for Dolly, a chestnut horse who is 32 years old. Dolly is currently in the care of the New Hampshire Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Stratham, along with the other rescued animals.

SPCA Executive Director Lisa Dennison previously told Foster's two of the rescued horses — Dell, a white horse in her mid-20s, with Tonka, her four-year-old colt — were taken into protective custody from the same owners in January 2010.

Willey explained the women arrested were the ones responsible for the animals' care and well-being and could not confirm their relation to one another Tuesday night.